Liverpool’s Walton Centre has become the first hospital in the UK to let people see inside its clinical areas - without leaving their home.

The specialist neuroscience Trust has digitally opened its doors using Google Street View, so patients and visitors can get an idea of what the hospital looks like, and where they need to go.

As well as letting people see what the hospital’s public waiting areas are like, the Trust is the first to take Google’s cameras inside its clinical departments, including its operating theatres and radiology area.

Patients who are going to the hospital for an MRI scan can see what the machine looks like before they arrive, or take an online tour to familiarise themselves with the hospital before their visit.

Trust Chief Executive Chris Harrop said: “We wanted to open up our hospital online to take away some of the fear of coming in for a consultation, test or operation.

“Simple things like being able to find the way to reception from the car park, or for a family to find where a particular ward is situated, can save time and reduce anxiety.”

Both the front and rear entrances can be viewed online, and every floor of the hospital. Once ‘inside’ people can navigate their way around by clicking into the distance on the image, or on one of the direction arrows.